View XML QR Code

George Wolfe Brady papers, 1910-1986

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Brady, George Wolfe
Title
George Wolfe Brady papers
Dates
1910-1986 (inclusive)
Quantity
13.15 cubic ft. (26 boxes)
Collection Number
09439
Summary
The George Wolfe Brady collection includes aeronautical material related to his career with Curtiss-Wright Corp., Chance-Vought Corp., and the Institute for Defense Analysis.
Repository
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu
Access Restrictions
Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.

Languages
English
Sponsor
The creation of the EAD-version of this finding aid was made possible through a grant from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission.
Return to Top

Historical Note

George Wolfe Brady was born in Muncie, Indiana in 1903. He graduated from Yale University in 1925 and earned a Masters degree in Aeronautical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He worked a few years for Chance-Vought Aircraft and then 30 years for Curtiss-Wright Aircraft including World War II. He served as chief engineer of the propeller division helping to design the reverse pitch propeller, jet engines, and turbo-props. After the war Mr. Brady worked with Dr. Robert Goddard in developing liquid fuel rockets for the military. After Sputnik was launched by the Soviet Union in 1958, he moved to Washington, D.C. in order to assist NASA in the technical planning of the space program, and then in developing the space shuttle. He did this as a member of the Institute of Defense Analysis. He was a member of numerous professional organizations including the Cosmos Club, the American Astronautical Society, and the Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. In 1972 he received The Evening Star Award for years of public service in neighborhood improvement associations. He died in 1986.

Return to Top

Content Description

The George Wolfe Brady collection includes aeronautical material related to his career with Curtiss-Wright Corp., Chance-Vought Corp., and the Institute for Defense Analysis. It also includes some biographical and professional correspondence in the form of papers, reports, and photographs and subject files.

The biographical file contains resumes, passports, published papers and some university material. Blueprints include Chance-Vought fuselages from the 1930s plus engine castings, propellers, and controls for Curtiss-Wright aircraft. Most of the brochures and clippings relate to Curtiss-Wright publicity campaigns. Correspondence includes general Curtiss-Wright business and engineering and patent applications. Handbooks and manuals are Curtiss-Wright policy publications. The notebooks and notes include primary notes and designs interspersed with other materials. Most of Brady’s papers and reports were done while he worked for Curtiss-Wright. The photographs consist primarily of builder’s photos, but they also include early aviation photos and postcards. The subject files reflect the subject files which were created by Brady, but their titles were changed to more accurately reflect their contents. Three phonograph records provide a record of the first demonstration reverse thrust propeller test.

Return to Top

Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Preferred Citation

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, George Wolfe Brady papers, 1910-1986, Collection Number 09439, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Return to Top

Administrative Information

Related Materials

Related Materials

There are no other known archival collections created by George Wolfe Brady at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition Information

Esther Brady gave her husband’s professional papers to the American Heritage Center in 1987. Barbara Beeker, Brady’s daughter, sent additional material in 1989,2020, and 2022. The papers and artifacts were in good condition.

Processing Note

Processing Information

The collection was processed by John Hanks in March 2002. Collection updated by Alexandra Cardin in June 2022.

Return to Top

Detailed Description of the Collection

Container List

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Aeronautics--History--United States.
  • Aerospace engineering--United States.
  • Propeller-driven aircraft.
  • Propellers, Aerial.
  • Turboprop transports.

Corporate Names

  • Curtiss-Wright Corporation.
  • Institute for Defense Analyses.
  • Vought Corporation.

Form or Genre Terms

  • Notebooks.
  • Photographs.

Processed by John Hanks
2006

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

About Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West

Loading...
Loading...